Chapter II · Chapter 2

acquired as your own by free choice

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

later than; following

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

(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 It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

serving or used in place of another

From this reading Yet there was no alternative.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Gratitude, therefore, and duty kept him here.

derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

possessive form of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

state of being gratified or satisfied

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

From this reading Gratitude, therefore, and duty kept him here.

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

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Gratitude, therefore, and duty kept him here.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Gratitude, therefore, and duty kept him here.

immediately past

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

not any; not one

From this reading Yet there was no alternative.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

be seated

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a state of acute pain

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Gratitude, therefore, and duty kept him here.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

a period of sleeplessness

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Maurice had full opportunity for the exercise of patience during the last weeks of his grandfather's life.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

during the time that

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

which person or people

From this reading It was hard to sit there day after day watching the half-conscious old man, who lay so still and seemed so shut out from human feelings or sympathies, and to feel all the while that any one of those hours of vigil might be the one that stole from him his heart's desire.

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

From this reading His grandfather, who had received and adopted him, was suffering and solitary, dependent wholly on him for what small gratification he could still enjoy.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet there was no alternative.