> as lemmas

1829 Times 16 Feb. 4/5 That host of men, accomplished, laborious, active,—whom publicity instructs and awakens—whom their social position, the feeling of their capacity, and the example of so many elevations as unexpected as theirs would be, impel towards public affairs by so many different roads.

1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. vi. 185 There is no position, which affords such scope for ameliorating the condition of man, as that occupied by an absolute ruler over a nation imperfectly civilised.

1853 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey (new ed.) v. xii. 202 Do not believe that I am one who would presume an instant on my position.

1853 C. Brontë Villette II. xxviii. 293 Pedigree, social position, and recondite intellectual acquisition, occupied about the same space and place in my interests and thoughts.

1868 J. Bruce in K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. Mediterranean Pref. p. xxxiv A man of considerable position.

1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 392 Arms were extemporised for an adequate number of citizens, and the city was somehow put into a position to stand a siege.

1907 Daily Chron. 3 June 3/6 An association of..plot-owners has been formed for the purpose of improving their position.

1950 R. Macaulay World my Wilderness xxviii. 205 She would be, after all, in the stronger position, doing what..was the fine and generous thing.

1976 G. Butler Vesey Inheritance vi. 176 I am a young woman of education and social position.

1995 Guardian 23 Sept. (Money section) 3/8 We felt we were not in a position to judge the merits of her case.

2000 Plumbing Mag. (Inst. of Plumbing) May–June 32/1 ‘No win, no fee’ arrangements will be available to everyone, putting all claimants on an equal footing irrespective of their financial position.