A committed formalist, who died at the age of 73, on April 20th, 2019.

Examiners usually come in after an accident has happened, basically like official review to make sure they have enough to help them. So in line one when it says "where the house is cold and empty and the garden's overgrown, they are there" gives you sign that something has happened but all we know is "They are there."

a medium length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment, typically with solos, chorus and orchestra.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrJ6R3mwJpd5zIAFItXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycHBtMWNzBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjY4MzNfMQRzZWMDc2M-/RV=2/RE=1570451815/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.oxforddictionaries.com/RK=2/RS=KjC5fCeweiW3YMOfZixybuH0oGs-

Eviscerate is "to take out the entrails of" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, definition 1 (a)). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eviscerate

Thomas Aquinas Italian Dominican friar, theologian, and philosopher. (https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Aquinas)

The principle that states entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily. (http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/occam.html)

"So it's idle if we bridle" is another way of saying that it is pointless to show resentment to something that is bound to happen. "Idle" https://www.dictionary.com/browse/idle?s=t "Bridle"https://www.dictionary.com/browse/bridle?s=t (Definition 8)

“the wall-constructing emperors of undiscovered Chinas” this is a reference to the Great Wall of China. The primary purpose was always to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders. Most of the current Great Wall we see today was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is approximately 6000km long. (http://www.chinatravellers.com/Artcle_Show.asp?id=167)

Desiccate is defined as "to drain of emotional or intellectual vitality." In utilizing this type of descriptive language, the author adds more emphasis to this section in detailing the Examiners and the outcome of one's passion (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, definition 3).

Johann Sebastian Bach: a composer of the Baroque era, the most celebrated member of a large family of north German musicians. Largely famous for his cantatas in the 18th century. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

beta-query-minus: derives from the grading system standard in the United Kingdom. Whitworth is not referring to the actual grade, but rather the grading that they give to us. (https://www.studying-in-uk.org/uk-grading-system/)

Ockham's Razor, also known as the law of economy, is a principle that brings simplicity. Also expressed as “Entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Occams-razor.)

Dólares is the Spanish word for the English word that translate to Dollars. (google translate)

During Fidel Castro's rule in Cuba in the 60's, many children were brought to the U.S under Operation Pedro Pan without their parents in order to get away from the corruption. There were many children who were never reunited with their parents or were able to go back to Cuba, and ended up growing up and building a new life in the U.S.

Disillusion- Being freed from illusions, beliefs, idealisms.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/disillusion?s=t

jamón y queso is Spanish for ham and cheese

Suspiros de Merengues are meringue cookies with a base primarily comprised of egg yolks, popular in many Spanish speaking countries. The author's use of the word "stale" may refer to the cookie's overall texture that deteriorates as they age. Suspiros, or "sigh," also refers to the cookie's overall slight sweetness, which may also explain the author's use of the word "stale." (https://www.thespruceeats.com/suspiros-meringue-kisses-3029768)

Formica is a heat-resistant, wipe-clean, plastic laminate of paper used to cover surfaces. It is known for being a cheaper option. https://countertopinvestigator.com/prices/

A 1983 film. "When a group of Mayan Indians decides to organize a labor union to improve conditions in their village, their community is violently destroyed by the Guatemalan army. Teenage siblings, Rosa and Enrique manage to escape the massacre and decide to start a new life in El Norte -- the USA. The two trek through Mexico, meeting a variety of characters and facing trials and tribulations on their journey toward lives as illegal immigrants in Los Angeles."https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085482/plotsummary

A&P Supermarkets:The A&P Supermarkets is a major supermarket chain that operates various banners in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York among other places in America. (http://www.grocery.com/ap-supermarkets/)

Votive Offerings: votive offerings were considered gifts to the gods in ancient times. It is believed that the gift from the human to the god stayed within the gods sanctuary and became the property of the gods. (https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/greekpast/4744.html)

the buyers in this market are from foreign countries and are longing for products that they can only get in their home countries.

Bustelo Coffee, or Café Bustelo, is a coffee brand established by Gregorio Bustelo in New York in 1928. Bustelo was born in Spain and moved to Cuba at a young age. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Bustelo)

"Deli" is a shortening of the word "delicatessen": "a store where ready-to-eat food products (such as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold. Merriam Webster Online.

In this section, Whitworth is comparing The Examiners to former philosophers Plotinus, William of Ockham, and Thomas Aquinas using simile. This is used to emphasize the differing characteristics The Examiners take from these famous philosophers (http://happopoemouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/number-322-john-whitworth-examiners.html)

An examiner is "a member of an examination board, responsible for setting and marking examinations" (Oxford English Dictionary, definition 2 (c).