Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

(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 A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

from appearances alone

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

cause to be bored

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

-ing form of “cower” — crouch or curl up

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

an inferior dog or one of mixed breed

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Tom, I want to speak to you."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

and nothing more

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

a boy or man

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

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

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a form of address for a man

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

a human being

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

receiving deferential regard

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

one who is playfully mischievous

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

having the hair or wool cut or clipped off as if with shears or clippers

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

a male human offspring

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

express in speech

From this reading "Tom, I want to speak to you."

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

in a stiff manner

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading The lad looked at his father with a look of surprise.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

male cat

From this reading "Tom, I want to speak to you."

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "Tom, I want to speak to you."

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

From this reading As Mr. Austin sat cowering in the corner of his cab it was to him almost as if he had been these things, instead of Rodney Elmore.

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

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

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

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

which person or people

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He ascended the steps of the Kensington house a little stiffly, a little bowed, a little shorn of his full height; he bore himself, indeed, as if he were ashamed; it was with a sense of shame that he spoke to his son, who was apparently just about to go out as he went in.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE There are few worse half-hours in life than that in which a man finds that the one person whom he has liked, and respected, and trusted, and believed in before all others, is a scamp, a liar, and a cur.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Tom, I want to speak to you."