Chapter XXI

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

Having no one else present.

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

react verbally

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

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

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

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

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

tired of the world

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

without light

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

characterized by great determination

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

set up or found

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

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

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

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

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

unbiased impartial unconcern

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading He found her, as he expected, intent on a book.

worthy of high praise

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

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

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

not any; not one

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading Gervase felt nettled and frowned darkly, but he had made up his mind not to be driven from his purpose by any indifference--pretended or genuine--on Madeline's part.

(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

on the contrary

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

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

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

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

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

precisely as stated

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

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

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

in a weary manner

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

at the time that

From this reading She looked up with a bored expression when he entered, smiled rather wearily, but very sweetly, and then went on with her reading.

in or at the place that

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading For a whole week he had been beating the air and getting no nearer the goal of his desire; the time had now come when he would have an explicit answer.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading GERVASE SPEAKS HIS MIND On New Year's Day Gervase felt determined, if possible, to bring matters to a head, and with this laudable purpose pulsing through every fibre of his body he made his way to the drawing-room where, he understood from his mother, Madeline was sitting alone.