Chapter XII

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

in the past

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The same change for the worse was apparent in the man himself.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

the top edge of a vessel or other container

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The same change for the worse was apparent in the man himself.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

straighten with a comb

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

unvarying in nature

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

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

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

(of hair) having curls or waves

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

an established custom

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

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

From this reading The same change for the worse was apparent in the man himself.

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

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

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

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

pass into a specified state or condition

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading The same change for the worse was apparent in the man himself.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

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

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

occurring from time to time

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

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

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

above and across; more than

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

possessive form of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

hairdressing consisting of a perfumed oil or ointment

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

the property of being extremely abundant

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

on the contrary

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

only a very short time before

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

not in physical motion

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

the act of using

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

precisely as stated

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

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

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It had been new then, it was very old, worn, and greasy now; still, I think it must have been in the habit of lying by for long periods, out of its owner's reach, or it could scarcely have held together so well.

at the time that

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading Mr. Ellmer wore a round-topped felt hat, a size too large for him, with a very wide and rather curly brim, from under which his long fair hair, which had the appearance of being kept in order by the occasional application of pomatum rather than by the constant use of the comb, fell down over a paper collar in careless profusion.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading He was dressed in the same brown overcoat that he had worn when I made his acquaintance seven years ago.

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

From this reading The same change for the worse was apparent in the man himself.

a late time of life

From this reading Mr. Ellmer's appearance had not improved with the lapse of years.