Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

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

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

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

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

present

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

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

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

permission to do something

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

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

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

(of hair) having curls or waves

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

lighted by or as if by twilight

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

in a free manner

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

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

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

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 What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

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

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

-ing form of “impress” — have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

making a strong or vivid impression

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

used to form the superlative

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

not divisible by two

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

on one occasion

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

a meeting of spiritualists

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

a Spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the English “Mr” or “sir”

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

a person who sings

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

having a supporting base

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

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

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

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

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

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

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

(of hair) having waves

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

(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 I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

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

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

a Caucasian

From this reading What gave him his most characteristic touch, however, was his odd head of hair, curly and wavy like Paderewski's, standing out in a halo round his high white forehead and his delicate profile.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Senor Antonio Herrera--that was what he called himself--bowed to me with impressive Spanish politeness.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading I could see at a glance why he succeeded so well in impressing women; he had the look of a poet, a singer, a prophet.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading His dusky olive cheeks were wrinkled with a smile of gentle contempt as he answered gravely-- "I do not sell my gifts; I bestow them freely.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I have come round," I said, "to ask whether you will consent to give a seance at once in a friend's rooms; and my principal wishes me to add that he is prepared to pay five pounds as the price of the entertainment."