"from Middlemarch, the political subplot. Short for "plumper votes," plumpers were votes for just one candidate, when the ballot asked them to choose..." more...
"from Middlemarch, of course, since it has to do with duty. Farebrother is the one suffering from laches. This is just a few paragraphs from the..." more...
"I first saw this word used by RW Emerson: "Nature says--he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefts, he shall be glad to see me." more...