Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

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

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

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

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

next to; at the side of

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

prepare by brewing

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

a densely textured woolen fabric with a lustrous finish

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

showing careful forethought

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

without doubt or question

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

in a dry laconic manner

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

opinion or judgment

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

a man of refinement

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

an aunt of your father or mother

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

ten 10s

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

of a yellowish brown color

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

plural of “kink” — a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

plural of “lawsuit” — a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

used to form the superlative

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

select carefully from a group

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

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

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

marked by precise accordance with details

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

past form of “purse” — contract one's lips into a rounded shape

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

bitter or scornful

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

impressive in appearance

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

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

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

precisely as stated

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

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

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Chaos reigned in Hynds House then, and he was forced to pick his way, like an elderly and cautious cat, between piled-up chairs, tables, and rolls of carpet.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

at the time that

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

past form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion

From this reading In the most stately manner he parted the tails of his skirted coat, seated himself upon the sofa, placed his hat beside him, drew up the knees of his black broadcloth trousers, took off and wiped his spectacles with great thoroughness and deliberation upon a large silk handkerchief, replaced them upon the middle of his Roman nose, cleared his throat, pursed his lips, and drily but clearly talked business.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE HYNDSES OF HYNDS HOUSE When the fine weather had taken the kinks out of Judge Gatchell's joints, he came to see us--a tall, thin, punctilious, saturnine old gentleman with frosty Scotch eyes and the complexion of a pair of washed khaki trousers.

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

From this reading Great-Aunt Sophronisba would have left a much larger fortune had she been less addicted to lawsuits.

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

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You wouldn't think an old soul of almost a hundred could find very much chance to brew mischief, would you?