Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

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

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

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

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

promoting or enhancing well-being

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

plural of “conversation” — the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

lower than previously

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

having the place or position changed

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

one or the other of two

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

divisible by two

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

willing to give and share unstintingly

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

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

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

beyond belief or understanding

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

and nothing more

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

English film actress (1913-1967)

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

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

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

the action of attacking an enemy

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

above and across; more than

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

make believe with the intent to deceive

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

in physical discomfort

From this reading Even as it was, he felt uncomfortably divided between his real interest in his old friends, and a temptation to pretend that he was not interested at all.

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

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

the act of using

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

precisely as stated

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

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

From this reading Mr. Leigh was in a very depressed and anxious mood.

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

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

at the time that

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

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

From this reading He thought over the matter with a little sensation, which, if he had been less simple and generous a man, might have been offence.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading She had told him a strange and almost incredible story of her life; and then, just when he was full of sympathy and eagerness to be of use to her, everything seemed suddenly to have changed, and the events that followed had been wholly, as it were, out of his reach.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading His late conversations with Mrs. Costello had disturbed him and broken up the current of his thoughts, and even to some extent of his usual occupations, without producing any result beneficial to either of them.