Chapter II · The Premature Compromise

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

later than; following

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

the practice or manner of preparing food or the food so prepared

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

a person who drinks liquids

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

divisible by two

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

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

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

past form of “interject” — to insert between other elements

From this reading “The Paramakaboo,” interjected Mackeller, junior.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male

From this reading “The Paramakaboo,” interjected Mackeller, junior.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

plural of “liquor” — an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

take the midday meal

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

a form of address for a man

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

widely known and esteemed

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading “The Paramakaboo,” interjected Mackeller, junior.

first in rank or degree

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

established beyond doubt

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

To recall to mind.

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

a new appraisal or evaluation

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

have in common; held or experienced in common

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

in or at or to some place

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

a season's yield of wine from a vineyard

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

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

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

in or at the place that

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

belonging to which person

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading The elder Mackeller did justice to the prime vintage which his lordship shared with him, but young Mackeller proved to be a water drinker.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading After lunch they retired to a small private smoking room, where they could review the situation without being interrupted, and here coffee, liquors, cigars, and cigarettes were set out, and the waiter retired.

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

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

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

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “It would seem, then,” began his lordship, “that you and I, Mr. Mackeller, are owners of a property situated somewhere along the west coast of Africa, a dozen miles or so up a river whose name I do not remember, and which I could not pronounce if I did.”

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading THE Camperdown Club in Pall Mall is famous for its cuisine, and young Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood provided a lunch on the day of the great coup that was notable even in the Camperdown.