stretchings

The word “democracy” appears to indicate a vague concept of direct or semi-direct rule by some characteristic and typically large subset of the population beyond the age of consent, with a strong connotation of one vote per eligible voter, whilst allowing further stretchings and contortions such as multiple votes or variable valuations of single votes by individual voters.

The Volokh Conspiracy » Wishful Linguistics 2010

The word “democracy” appears to indicate a vague concept of direct or semi-direct rule by some characteristic and typically large subset of the population beyond the age of consent, with a strong connotation of one vote per eligible voter, whilst allowing further stretchings and contortions such as multiple votes or variable valuations of single votes by individual voters.

The Volokh Conspiracy » Wishful Linguistics 2010

The Master Crummleses had no sooner swallowed the last procurable morsel of food, than they evinced, by various half – suppressed yawns and stretchings of their limbs, an obvious inclination to retire for the night, which Smike had betrayed still more strongly: he having, in the course of the meal, fallen asleep several times while in the very act of eating.

Nicholas Nickleby 2007

And now, life was returning to this thing and that on every side of me, with slow stretchings and bendings, with twitterings, with a little start and stir ....

In the Days of the Comet Herbert George 2006

In the meantime, the extension of my limbs, languid stretchings, sighs, short heavings, all conspired to assure that experienced wanton that I was more pleased than offended at her proceedings, which she seasoned with repeated kisses and exclamations, such as

Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure 2004

The only sounds were those of the ship, the small, familiar stretchings and tightenings of seams and caulk.

Morgawr Brooks, Terry 2002

The only sounds were those of the ship, the small, familiar stretchings and tightenings of seams and caulk.

Morgawr BROOKS, Terry 2002

The only sounds were those of the ship, the small, familiar stretchings and tightenings of seams and caulk.

Morgawr Brooks, Terry 2002

Where Cora's movements were frequent and full of nervous energy, those of the younger woman were all languorous stretchings and physical sighs.

Cachalot Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1980

To do all this, we interpret the nerve impulses arising from the miscellaneous stretchings and bendings of muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

The Human Brain Asimov, Isaac 1963